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EZ Bachmann and a Blueline engine

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EZ Bachmann and a Blueline engine
Posted by Robby P. on Thursday, May 22, 2008 9:05 PM

I thought I would start with a smaller DCC system, before spending big bucks on a system.  I thought I would try to get my feet wet. 

On to the problems............

-Now, when I put the engine on the track it doesn't do anything.  Just hums. 

-Then when I hit the 3 button it does all of the sounds (kinda like a demo).  When I try hitting other buttons, one minute #1 is ringing a bell, and then a few minutes later #1 isn't doing anything.

-Also, it just goes in one direction. 

Could it be to much engine for the Bachmann?  If so, I guess it will be awhile before I get a good system.   If not, how can I fix it.

 I will say, it sounds good when it works. 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by selector on Thursday, May 22, 2008 9:22 PM
Robby, your Blueline engine is a DC engine that you are attempting to run on a DCC system.  If I understand you correctly, you have the Bachmann EZ Command DCC system.  I don't know that it will run a DC engine on it on address "00" as many other systems will.  If you can get your engine to a layout that has a DCC system capable of running a DC locomotive on adress 00, you will see that it runs just fine.  Right now, your engine's motor is confused by the DCC signal and power it is getting.
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Posted by tstage on Thursday, May 22, 2008 10:33 PM

Robby,

If your Blueline locomotive is DC and doesn't have a decoder already installed into it, you'll need to run it on address "10".  On the E-Z Command, there are 9 DCC buttons and 1 DC button.  If it does have a decoder installed in it, it's address is set to "3" (default).  You can change it to any of the other 8 addresses.  Just follow the directions in your manual.

In order to get the sounds, you have to use the yellow(?) function button:

  • Press function button
  • Press numbered button corresponding to the function that you want to here ("1" for bell, "2" for horn, etc.)
  • Press function button to return to operation mode

Tom

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Posted by Robby P. on Thursday, May 22, 2008 10:38 PM

Um...  I was typing a response and it JUST hit me.   The train is a Broadway LimitedBanged Head [banghead]   Sorry guys, but if the ideas work the same I will try that.  Its been a looooooong day.  Spent the day at the hospital with the wife.  So I hope I didn't get anybody mad.  I guess I'm to tired to think.

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by tstage on Thursday, May 22, 2008 10:46 PM

Robby,

Blueline is Broadway limited. Course, you originally said Bachmann and I took the cue from Crandell because he said Blueline.  (My fault for not following the original post. Blush [:I])

So, it could be either a BLI "Blueline Series" or a regular BLI.  Which one is it?

Tom

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Posted by Robby P. on Thursday, May 22, 2008 10:56 PM

The DCC system is a Bachman EZ Command, and here is the engine.  It arrived today.  I was just wondering if the EZ Command wasn't enough power for this engine.  Its a pretty big engine.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140232086165&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004

 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by tstage on Thursday, May 22, 2008 11:06 PM

Robby,

Sound locomotives these days shouldn't draw more than 0.5 amps.  The Bachmann E-Z Command has 1 amp so it shouldn't be a problem.

Hmmm.  The eBay page states that your AC6000 comes with an NCE N14IP motion decoder.  Did you install that one into your locomotive yet?  If not, that's your problem right there.

Tom 

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Posted by tstage on Thursday, May 22, 2008 11:10 PM

Robby,

Yep, here's what the buyer stated in the body of the info page:

Southern Pacific #602 Blueline with Sound - DCC READY

Included with this auction is One NCE- N14IP DCC Decoder that will plug directly into the 8-Pin Connector and allow this unit to operate in DCC with Sound.  Decoder comes Un-Installed. [Underline mine.]

Check your BLI box or shipping container for the extra decoder.  Sounds like an easy install. 

Tom

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Posted by Robby P. on Thursday, May 22, 2008 11:11 PM

Thanks for the help Tom.  There was the one already installed, kinda like a square..  Then theres a another one, more rectangle and longer.  Then theres a 3rd one, but its very small.  I know the square one makes all of the sound.  I tried the longer one, but nothing happened.  I am sure I can get it.  If not my wife can work on it.  She had some surgery done, and that will give her something to do.

If it helps I can get some shots tomorrow.  I already wanna take some of my new layout and the engine tomorrow for the "WPF."

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by tstage on Thursday, May 22, 2008 11:27 PM

Robbie, 

Just to be sure.  In order to install the NCE decoder, you'll need to first pull the 8-pin circuit board out of the 8-pin socket in your locomotive.  The NCE decoder will then plug right into the 8-pin socket.

Tom

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Posted by Robby P. on Friday, May 23, 2008 8:29 AM
It works now.  Thanks for the help.

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by tstage on Friday, May 23, 2008 10:17 AM

Robby,

Hey, glad to hear everythings working as it should. Approve [^]Thumbs Up [tup]

Tom 

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Posted by Rotorranch on Friday, May 23, 2008 7:53 PM

 Robby P. wrote:
It works now.  Thanks for the help.

What did you do?

Rotor

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Posted by cudaken on Friday, May 23, 2008 9:28 PM

 Rottorranch, my guess was he installed the Decoder. There is suffcent power from the Bachmann EZ to run 3 sound engines. I have 2 Blueline AC 6000's and the EZ ran them with out a problem. With the MRC power station 8 I can now run 10.

 If decoder was not installed, he is running it on number 10.

 

                Cuda Ken

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Posted by Robby P. on Friday, May 23, 2008 10:51 PM

First I changed the decoder.  After that, I looked over the hand book agian for the EZ Command.  Now it was factory set on #3.  To find out on the EZ Command, I have to hit the function button (yellow button) and then hit the number I would like to hear (horn, coupler, etc.)

I would hit the function button, and then lets say the #1.  The bell would ring.  Or.....hit the function button... lets say #2 and the horn would go.  Now while the horn or bell were making noise, I would rehit the function button and the light would stop blinking.  Then I would turn the throttle and the engine would move, while the bell or what ever sound was going.  If I wanted the sound to stop, I would have to hit the function button and then the number of the noise.  After that it would stop (sound). 

Hope this helps.  If not I can retype it better tomorrow.  Sandman is calling me to bed.

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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Posted by jasperofzeal on Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:15 AM

I think Rotor wanted to know what you specifically did in order to get your engine to work properly, not how to work the sounds.  From your original post, it seems you were having trouble with the engine.  What did you do to make it work?

TONY

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Posted by cudaken on Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:25 AM

 Rob, maybe it the way you typed it, or the way I m reading it, but it sounds like you are hitting the fuction button way to many times.

 Push the cab number of the engine you want to run, lets say the GE AC 6000. Push button 3, its cab number, turn the throttle and engine moves and motor sound starts up. Push the fuction button and you now have control of all the F buttons for the sounds. You can either leave the function (fun button Big Smile [:D]) flashing and contol all the sounds and speed, or turn the Fun button off, control just the speed, or leave the 6000 moving and go to another engine and run it.

 Way I read your post, it sounded like you where pushing the Fun button ever time you want to use a sound effect.

              EZ Ken

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Posted by Robby P. on Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:29 AM
I will mess with it more today.  See what I am doing wrong.  Ken i will also try what you said. 

 "Rust, whats not to love?"      

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